Walking Them Home

WRNT is introducing a new program, dedicated to Senior Westies, called "Walking Them Home".  The problems faced by Senior Westies who are placed into the WRNT Foster Program are myriad.  The purpose of "Walking Them Home" is to provide comfort, solace and love in the last months of a Senior Westie's life.

We would like to share with you the story of one of our most recent Seniors - the little lady named Orra.

Orra came to WRNT, quite the aged one, with dementia and other impairments typically associated with advanced age.  An exceptionally dedicated volunteer family took Orra into their home, to do exactly what "Walking Them Home" implies: Our WTH Family took Orra ever so softly into that good night, showering her with love and affection.  WRNT recently was told of Orra's passing, after a short, but meaningful time in our program.  The words of Orra's Foster Mom say it best:

"Dear Westie Rescue,

It is with a heavy heart that I am writing to you this morning. Saturday, September 1st, sweet, precious Orra crossed the Rainbow Bridge. The vet in Wills Point, Dr. Wingo, was extremely sensitive to this difficult time for all of us. The room we were in had a toddler bed, nightstand, and two rocking chairs. We sat with her for a while and then both Mark and I were able to hold her while she passed. I wrapped her in a blanket and I carried my angel back to the farm.

She is now able to run, play, and just be the dog she once was with Scrappy, Frankie, Shortstop, Finn, and Bear becoming her new pack. I told her to look for them and as you can see in the picture that they are anxiously awaiting her arrival.

As you know, Orra was older and had been neglected. Thank God for Merikay who rescued her from being left alone and forgotten! In these last couple of weeks, we have noticed more of a decline in Orra. Physically Orra was pretty healthy, but mentally there was something else going on. The consensus from three different vets is that she had a tumor and that is what caused the circling, hearing loss, and vision loss. Poor Orra spent most of her time full of anxiety because she did not know where she was or what was going on. I gave her selegiline for over a month, but it did not have the dramatic effect we were hoping for. She did seem slightly calmer. She definitely was most calm when I held her - which I tried to do as much as possible. I compare her alot to Queenie who is a year older and their is just such a huge difference in awareness, activity, etc. Just know that Orra spent these last three months completely spoiled and pampered. She was doted on constantly. My entire day was filled with meeting her needs. She loved to eat and so she got lots of treats during the day - much to everyone else's dismay. The others in the pack are not exactly hurting for food - so I would sneak her treats. But, despite this, she was losing weight and had gotten down to 16 pounds. That is another reason I became more concerned.

When Orra got to our home she was welcomed with open arms and paws. She was definitely given the respect she deserved as one of the elder dogs in the pack. Twinkie was her best friend and woke her up every morning by touching noses. Twinkie also escorted her around the backyard until Orra got her bearings. Queenie welcomed her into the Ol' Ladies Club immediately. They would walk together and Queenie who has better vision and hearing (although hers is in decline too, at almost 15) would help her friend out. Winston was also super protective too. He would get between her and any other "outsider" who might not know of Orra's special needs. Badger was best at distracting the puppy from bugging her. It was very touching to see how they all took care of each other.

When we were out at the lake is when Orra was at her best. It was peaceful, serene, and open. She loved our daily walks to the upper pasture. The dirt road is easier to negotiate for us old folks. Everyone would surround her as we walked and help herd her back on the path when she got confused and started circling. The best thing about the farm was that we have over five fenced-in acres split into the upper pasture and then another fence closer to the house. We can let everyone just run and play without worries. Of course they need constant supervision - if for nothing else to prevent rolling in cow patties and driving the horses and cows crazy. Orra was very calm and happy out there. She spent almost every weekend out there roaming and sniffing. When we buried her Mark picked a nice, quiet place under a beautiful tree right near the house so we could say good morning and good night to her.

The neatest thing happened Sunday morning. When I got up, and just before we went on our walk, I went over to say good morning to our little angel Orra. Two of the dogs went to my left, and two dogs went to my right forming a semi-circle around the grave. I got chills, was breathless, and teared up. It was so amazing. My friend Marsha, who was the only other person up this early, was shocked and speechless too. It was the their way of saying goodbye to a special member of our pack. I wish I had a picture of this wonderful event, but it will be in my heart forever.

Just know that Orra was extremely loved and well cared for. I changed her name so that she will be easily remembered. She was special and deserves to be remembered for her uniqueness. This is absolutely the hardest decision to make - Mark and I are just beside ourselves with grief. Everything was handled with extremely care and dignity. We took her into our home and our hearts. She wanted for nothing. Now Orra is finally at peace. We know that she is finally free of all the things that held her back here on earth and that gives us comfort. Thank you for the opportunity to walk Orra home. She is such a sweet, precious angel and has left pawprints on our hearts forever."

The joy and sadness of being part of the "Walking Them Home" program are almost impossible to describe.  For those of us who are blessed with a Senior Westie, each day is made a little better, a little brighter by their very presence.  We're looking for a very select group of people to become WTH volunteers.  A WTH Family is easy to describe: It's a home where love and kindness live, and a place where age is honored and revered, not seen as an affliction. 

For Orra, for every Senior Westie who needs a home in their final days - do you have a soul big enough to be a part of "Walking Them Home"?